Why Millions Still Walk the Grand Road: The Enduring Power of Rath Yatra

Puri’s Grand Road turned into a sea of devotion as more than a million people gathered to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The two-day event, held on June 27 and 28, brought together pilgrims from across India and around the world, all eager to be part of one of Hinduism’s most sacred traditions.

 

The festival began with the Pahandi ritual, where the deities were carried out of the Jagannath Temple to their massive wooden chariots. As chants of “Jai Jagannath” echoed through the air, devotees pulled the chariots toward the Gundicha Temple, about 2.6 kilometers away.

 

But the procession didn’t go entirely as planned. Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja, got stuck while turning on Grand Road, forcing the entire event to pause overnight. Thousands of devotees stayed in Puri through the night, waiting to resume the journey the next morning.

 

Unfortunately, the massive turnout also led to a stampede-like situation on June 27. Over 500 people were injured, with more than 300 hospitalized and eight in critical condition. Most injuries were due to jostling and heat exhaustion. The Odisha government has launched an investigation and promised better crowd control in the future.

 

Despite the challenges, the spirit of the festival remained strong. The chariots resumed their journey on June 28, with thousands once again pulling together—literally and spiritually.

 

Sources: The Hindu, Mid-Day, The Logical Indian